Introducing our “Best of the Best” tech gadgets and accessories. For when your “one job” work from home tech setup isn’t going to cut it anymore.
Top Must-Haves
#1 Mechanical Mouse Jiggler
Quiet with random movements. Keep pesky screen savers off and your Slacks or Teams active. Everyone has one. Avoid any detectable software-based jiggler.
Say goodbye to micro-managing bosses.
#2 TESmart KVM Switch 4 PCs + 2 Monitors (HDMI or DisplayPort) OR USB-C KVM Switch 3 PCs + 1 Monitor
Juggling with three or more laptops and accessories? Trying to work with your current monitors and accessories? Introducing two premium keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) switches.
Use a desk with 2 monitors to switch and control 4 PCs and/or laptops. Or, use a single large monitor with 3 Macbooks through USB-C. Contains all cables necessary for the operation of KVM.
Plug & Play. All ports are HDMI or USB-C. You can also get it in all DisplayPorts. Check your PC and monitor inputs. DP1.4 has advantages in dual-feeding two laptops into one monitor if your monitor supports it.
#3 Logitech MX Keyboard/Mouse Combo Connects Up To 3 PCs via Bluetooth/USB
Most recommended keyboard/mouse combo. Here’s the important feature: Connect to up to 3 laptops via Bluetooth or the included USB receiver across Windows, macOS, or Linux. Or, use through a KVM.
#4 Dual Stack Heavy Monitor Desk Mount – Flat or Curved up to 49″ Atdec AWMS-2-LTH75-H-S
Are you trying to stack two 34″ or larger monitors? Tried the adjustable arms but didn’t like it? If you’re like me, wait no more. Visit the Atdec Store to find the right desk mount for your desired OE productivity setup.
#5 49″ U4919DW Dell Monitor With Built-In KVM Switch
Achieve next-level efficiency with the world’s first 49-inch dual QHD monitor.
Two input sources, one screen. View content from two different laptop sources with Picture-by-Picture (PBP). This feature splits the screen into two sides, similar to a dual monitor setup but way better.
Use one keyboard/mouse set and easily toggle between two different laptops with the keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) feature.
More ways to multi-task and stay organized with “easy arrange”, one of the many options included with the Dell Display Manager software.
Accessories & Budget Alternatives
#1 Portable Audio Mixer
Got double or triple booked meetings? Control your mic/audio setup through a mixer. Get the “KVM switch” for your voice.
With a mixer, you can “DJ” your meetings, controlling each meeting’s volume and mic input. This is handling simultaneous meetings for the Pros.
Note: you’ll need other accessories, check out our audio tech setup.
#2 Vertical Laptop Holder
The dual-slot design makes it convenient to cradle up two laptops and two cellphones vertically at the same time, saving precious desk space.
You can lean a third laptop, unsecured, in the front or back in lieu of a cell phone. However, if you’re working with four laptops, best to get two of these.
Provides an Allen wrench to adjust the slot size from 0.39 to 1.6 inches to accommodate different laptop thicknesses.
Used to come in silver but might be out of stock currently.
#3 TESmart KVM Switch 2 PCs + 2 Monitors (HDMI only)
Not ready to splurge $400 on a premium KVM switch? Try this “budget” one instead.
Simplify your two-laptop workstation with 2 x HDMI and 2 x USB2.0 output to your monitors and inputs for one set of keyboard, mouse, and webcam.
#4 Sabrent KVM Switch 2 PCs (USB-C) + 1 Monitor (HDMI)
Need something simpler? Try one that just might do the job for Macbooks with USB-C-only outputs/inputs.
Simplify your two-laptop workstation with 1 x HDMI and 2 x USB2.0 output to your single monitor and inputs for one set of keyboard, mouse, and webcam.
#5 34″ U3419w Dell Monitor with Built-In KVM Switch
Stay modest with a “smaller” and older model. I use two of them side-by-side with a monitor arm, connected to an external KVM switch.
Two input sources, one screen. View content from two different laptop sources with Picture-by-Picture (PBP). This feature splits the screen into two sides, similar to a dual monitor setup.
Use one keyboard/mouse set and easily toggle between two different laptops with the keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) feature. Heads Up: I’ve never tested this feature as I use two of these monitors with an external KVM. Some reviews mention internal KVM only works with HDMI 2.o.
More ways to multi-task and stay organized with “easy arrange”, one of the many options included with the Dell Display Manager software.
#6 Adjustable Arm Desk Mounted For Two Flat/Curved Monitors or Laptops
Improve your WFH 2x ergonomics with adjustable arms. Save desk space, feel more Zen and productive.
#7 Think Board Premium: 4’x12′, Clear, Ultra-Removable Wall Sticker Whiteboard
Need a whiteboard for your brainstorming but don’t have the space? Wait no more with Think Boards! Check out the Think Board Store for more ideas.
Audio Tech Setup
Following are the audio setups from our community members dogesploitation#5309 and ipodps3#8868 on our Discord channel #tech-setups.
From dogesploitation#5309: I finally got the multiple audio setups working seamlessly amongst the Js. 🎉🎉🎉
The goal of the setup is to have complete control over input received from multiple sources and output provided to audio sources.
First, the I/O signals from each device must be isolated on single wires. Split the microphone and headphone signals from each laptop via a 3.5mm auxiliary splitter.
Next, you will need to have 3.5mm connection wires going to and coming from your I/O signal control devices.
Each 3.5mm audio output connection from the devices is isolated on the mixer. J1 in channel 1, J2 in channel 2, etc.
Each 3.5mm audio input connection is isolated into an I/O audio selector switch (or get the simpler version without the volume control). Following the same format as above; complete the connections for all audio devices.
At this point, both audio I/O signals from each device are isolated into two physical controllers.
I wanted my audio input to originate from a single microphone source. The microphone is connected to a microphone mixer in a single channel. This channel has a red mute button for each channel so that’s a win! The signal output from the microphone mixer is connected to the I/O controller via 3.5mm.
This setup now allows me to manually control the audio source and destination from each laptop.
1. All audio volume levels can be adjusted and blended into a balanced Left-Center-Right source.
2. When I need to speak, I make sure I’m switched to the correct channel.
3. I make sure mute buttons are enabled for all other meetings and verify their mic channel buttons are illuminated red.
Full disclosure: purchases made through these affiliate links help support the Overemployed community. Let’s change the future of work together. -Isaac 🖖